The White Sox climbed to 4-2 on the season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the first place Yankees on Thursday evening. With the win, the White Sox move into a tie for second place with the Braves (4-2); one half game behind the Yankees who now sit at 4-1. The season series between the Sox and Yankees is all tied up at one apiece with both games decided by one run.
The game featured the two premiere power pitchers in the division, Robert Landry for the Yankees, and Navari Julius for the White Sox. Both competitors brought their "A" game. The White Sox defense was in mid season form in the top of the first. Navari accounted for the first two outs of the inning on a comebacker to the mound and a strike out. Right-fielder, Malik Cole closed the inning by snagging a fly ball to straight-away right field off the bat of Jonathan Phelps.
In the bottom half of the first, White Sox lead-off batter, Cashion London, forced an errant throw by a charging third baseman to reach first. Cash, who earlier in the season befuddled all with his tuck and roll steal attempt, used his legs to move around the bases and score on a passed ball. Jabril Geter drew a walk in the inning but was left stranded as Robert Landry buckled down to retire the next 2 White Sox batters on strikes. Shane Early stepped to the plate and delivered a shot to deep center field that was competently handled by Yankee center-fielder, Derek Marshall for out 3.
At the end of 1, the White Sox led 1-0.
After allowing a walk to Robert Landry, Navari settled in to retire the side on strikes; 2 looking and 1 swinging.
In the White Sox half of the second inning, Dathan Bailey got the ball rolling by drawing a walk. Lawrence Gilliam also walked in the inning, and Robert Togia reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases with one out for the White Sox. The Yankee defense stiffened to suppress the White Sox rally as two runs were cut down at the plate – one by Jonathan Phelps unassisted at the plate to get Dathan, and the second by third-baseman Kelvin Murrilo throwing to Jonathan at the plate to get Lawrence.
At the end of 2, the score remained White Sox 1, Yankees 0.
Navari stayed on track for the Sox in the top of the third, striking out the side for the second inning a row – allowing only a ground ball single through the right side of the infield by Yankee second-baseman, Justin Morris.
Matching Navari's intensity, Robert Landry made quick work of the Sox in the bottom of the third inning. Two of the outs were recorded by strike outs. Navari reached first after being hit in the wrist by a pitch but was thrown out attempting to steal second base – Jonathan throwing to Jibri Walden .
Trailing by one run in the top of the fourth inning, the Yankees reached deep and mounted a game changing rally. Jonathan led off the inning by drawing a walk. Navari settled in to get the next batter on strikes with Jonathan moving to second on passed ball. Jibri moved Jonathan to third base by poking a ground ball past White Sox shortstop, Grant Craddolph. With Derek at the plate and runners on first and third, White Sox catcher, Robert Togia, caught Jonathan in a trap play. With Jibri stealing second, Robert pump faked to second base and fired to Shane at third who relayed it back to Robert at the plate to get the out at the plate. Jibri, displaying heady base running, moved to third base on the play. With Derek facing a full count, Navari missed low and the ball made its way to the fence. Jibri easily scored from third. In the only t-ball moment of the game, the Sox attempted to throw Derek out at second base and threw the ball to the center field fence; allowing Derek to score. With the bases clear, first-baseman, Gary McCoy successfully bunted down the third base line to get on base. Blaine Williams stepped to the plate and drew a walk. The Sox dug in to squash the rally with Navari handling a routing ground ball back to the mound – throwing to Jabril at first.
After 3 1/2, the Yankees led 2-1.
With the tables turned and needing a run to tie, the White Sox turned to their rookie players. Dathan fought off a tough outside pitch and sent a shot down the first base line that was handled by Gary at first base for out number one. Jordan Strong and Alonzo Billips exhibited patience and strike zone awareness at the plate –both drawing full count walks. Malik Cole came in to Pinch Run for Jordan. Veteran catcher, Robert Togia, followed with a walk to load the bases. Jibri Walden relieved Robert Landry on the mound. Cash stepped to the plate and grounded into a fielder's choice to Gary at first base throwing home to get Malik at the plate. Jabril slapped a ground ball to short stop and legged out an infield hit to score Alonzo from third and tie the game. Jibri closed the inning out with a strikeout – showing a very nasty curve ball that dropped into the zone for a called third strike.
After 4, the game was knotted at 2 a piece.
Nearing his pitch count limit, Navari stayed on the mound in the top of the fifth inning. He retired his final batter of the evening on strikes for out one – bringing his strike out total to 9 on the day. Shane Early relieved Navari on the mound and got the first batter he faced on strikes. With two outs, Jonathan sent a screamer back to the mound for an infield base hit to set the stage for Robert Landry. With the count 2-0, the White Sox coaching staff decided to intentionally walk Robert. Shane dug deep and forced a ground ball to third base where Navari scooped it up and stepped on third to end the threat.
The White Sox got the lead off batter on in the top of the fifth inning with Navari drawing a walk. Jibri continued to battle and the Yankee defense remained solid as they recorded outs one and two at second base - one on a ground ball hit back to the middle to Jibri, and the second on a ground ball hit to Gary at first. Jibri took care of out three with a strike out.
Moving into the last frame, the score remained tied at 2.
Shane Early stayed on the mound for the Sox and used an array of off speed pitches along with 2 and 4 seam fast balls to stay one step ahead of the Yankees. He struck out 2 to start the inning. The final out of the inning was chalked up by Cash throwing to Jabril at first after handling a sharply hit ground ball to second base by Darien Geyen .
During the half inning, White Sox first lady, Deann Craddolph, went into the secret vault and retrieved the magical "rally gum". She quickly delivered it to Coach Lawrence who relayed it to the White Sox dugout to jump start the rally. Utility man, Lawrence Gilliam, who spent the better part of Wednesday night in the ER getting an ear repaired, led off the bottom of the sixth inning and took a cue from Clarence Carter – stroking a line drive single to left-center field to get the rally started; score one for the rally gum and Clarence Carter (he be strokin'). Lawrence moved to second base on a wild pitch. Sensing an opportunity to win the game, White Sox manager, Barry Craddolph sent in the speedy Alonzo Billips to run for Lawrence at second base. Cash followed with a superb bunt down the third base line to move Alonzo to second base. With the winning run 60 feet away and the count 1-2, Jabril Geter kept his hands back on Jibri's slow curve and pushed a ground ball down the third base line. Alonzo raced home to beat the throw at the play and score the winning run.
Both teams played well and battled back from deficits to take the lead. Hats off to the fans who hung on every pitch.
The White Sox awarded game balls to:
- Navari Julius for a stellar starting pitching performance despite not figuring in the decision (Shane earned the win).
- Robert Togia for handling his business behind the plate.
- Lawrence Gilliam for shaking off the ear injury and igniting a bottom of the 6th inning rally by stroking a line drive to left-center.
The White Sox wish a speedy recovery for outfielder, Nathan Moore who was out sick for the game.
You can find the box score here .
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Ladera Little League White Sox
